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Customer Reviews
Tom Higgins draws an excellent performance from a cast of experienced principal performers headed by Richard Suart as Hassan and Sally Harrison in the title role. The Southwark Voices provide an excellent chorus (if placed a little far back, hence the docking of one star in my rating).
Sullivan's atmospheric, infectious and highly enjoyable score (punctuated with an unusually large number of dances for a Savoy Opera) is heard here in its' full glory, uncut, and in an edition prepared from the original autograph score. Librettist Basil Hood (of MERRIE ENGLAND fame) comes closer than any of Sullivan's other partners to the style of Gilbert, providing a rollocking tale of disguises and mistaken identities in the Persia of Arabian Nights mythology. Threats of beheadings and unsuitable weddings abound, to be resolved by a final twist of truly Gilbertian logic. All this resulted in a very respectable initial run of 213 performances in 1899 and extended provincial tours.
CPO provide copious notes and the full libretto of the musical numbers in three languages.
One thing to say, the original recording was sponsored, track by track, by members of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society (without whom the recording might never have been made). The original issue omitted to credit these people and sadly, as I understand the society was not involved with this reissue, the omission has not been rectified.
The six overtures used as a filler are beautifully played and recorded. All in all an excellent addition to the ever expanding commercial Sullivan recorded repertoire
Alas, the performances are a tad torpid, and unhappily the diction of chorus and principals doesn't match the quality of, say, the old D'Oyly Carte at its crisp best. That does rather scrape the powdered sugar off the Turkish delight.
Unhappily, the copy I own hasn't been played very much in the past few years. There is a faint gloss of the piece being performed as a professional engagement, rather than as enthusiasts tackling a lively and cleverly-scored entertainment.
Though it might not seem to be the accustomed territory of the Hanover Band, the contributions of all the singers and instrumentalists is exemplary: catching the right style is important with Sullivan's lighter works, and with an experienced cast headed up by Richard Suart exactly the right atmosphere is created.
Sullivan's collaborations with librettists other than Gilbert do not always 'gel', but here he is on top form.
The added bonus of some wonderfullly performed Sullivan overtures is the icing on the cake.
Of particular satisfaction its first outing was the meticulous documentation, including the full libretto and excellent notes. It is pleasing to see that they have been included here.
Not to be missed.
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